“H. A. Lorentz has found out the Relativity theorem and has created the Relativity postulate as a hypothesis that electrons and matter suffer contractions in consequence of their motion according to a certain law. A. Einstein has brought out the point very clearly, that this postulate is not an artificial hypothesis but is rather a new way of comprehending the time-concept, which is forced upon us by observation of natural phenomena.” Hermann Minkowski The Fundamental Equations for Electromagnetic Processes in Moving Bodies The Fundamental Equations for Electromagnetic Processes in Moving Bodies (1907)
“It would be very unsatisfactory if the new way of looking at the time-concept, which permits a Lorentz transformation, were to be confined to a single part of Physics.” Hermann Minkowski The Fundamental Equations for Electromagnetic Processes in Moving Bodies The Fundamental Equations for Electromagnetic Processes in Moving Bodies (1907)
“By laying down the relativity postulate from the outset, sufficient means have been created for deducing henceforth the complete series of Laws of Mechanics from the principle of conservation of energy (and statements concerning the form of the energy) alone.” Hermann Minkowski The Fundamental Equations for Electromagnetic Processes in Moving Bodies The Fundamental Equations for Electromagnetic Processes in Moving Bodies (1907)
“Many authors say that classical mechanics stand in opposition to the relativity postulate, which is taken to be the basic of the new Electro-dynamics” Hermann Minkowski The Fundamental Equations for Electromagnetic Processes in Moving Bodies The Fundamental Equations for Electromagnetic Processes in Moving Bodies (1907)
“The assumption of the contraction of the electron in Lorentz's theory must be introduced at an earlier stage than Lorentz has actually done.” Hermann Minkowski The Fundamental Equations for Electromagnetic Processes in Moving Bodies The Fundamental Equations for Electromagnetic Processes in Moving Bodies (1907)